Sheila Jackson-Lee: Queen of Nastiness

The Houston Democrat addressed one of her employees as "you stupid motherf***er." And not just once, but "constantly," recalls the staffer, "like, all the time."

Another Jackson Lee aide recounts the time her parents came to Washington to visit: "They were really excited to come to the congressional office. They're small town people, so for them it was a huge deal. They were actually sitting in the main lobby waiting area. … [Jackson Lee] came out screaming at me over a scheduling change. Called me a 'stupid idiot. Don't be a moron, you foolish girl' and actually did this in front of my parents, of all things."

Yet another staffer remembers requesting a meeting early on in her tenure to ask how best to serve the congresswoman. Jackson Lee's response: "What? What did you say to me? Who are you, the Congresswoman? You haven't been elected. You don't set up meetings with me! I tell you! You know what? You are the most unprofessional person I have ever met in my life." With that, Jackson Lee hung up the phone. …

For some, a job in Jackson Lee's office proved not just emotionally but physically perilous. One staffer recalls a frank conversation with his doctor, who told him he needed to quit. "It's your life or your job," the doctor told him, warning that the stress and long hours were wreaking havoc on his body.

Only a few on staff fought back. One of Jackson Lee's drivers became so frustrated with her abuse the person pulled the car over and demand she stop: "She's screaming and swearing. 'M.F.' everything. Finally I slammed on the brakes and told her to get the hell out of my car. I'm like 'I can't drive with you like this. Either get out, or you can calm down.' And she's like 'you need to go or get fired.' I'm like, 'that's fine. But I'm either leaving without you or you can calm down,'" the staffer said.

Jackson Lee then threatened to call the police and claim she was being held hostage in the car. But she finally did calm down when the staffer called her bluff, offering to flag down a Capitol Police officer to explain the situation.

The lesson her driver has for us is clear: We the People are still in charge if we don't let arrogant bureaucrats push us.

Jackson-Lee (in red) throws a final shovelful on our respect for our leadership.